Card store valentines are nice, but kind of expensive and not all that creative. (Why are greeting cards expensive? The Atlantic can tell you.) If you’re like us, you like things from the the heart, things that are unique and things with meaning or history. That’s why, from us to you, here are some printable valentines for vintage lovers. (We like you too much to sentence you to a big box card when we have opposable thumbs and Canva.)
Feeling inspired and want to make your own valentines? We’ve got other ideas.
- The tried and true method of cutting and pasting with actual scissors and glue is always a good choice. Bonus points are added for creative use of doilies.
- Second best is a customized photo. We love photos with messages, the more creative the better. Kids, dogs, yourself, creatively arranged food…they’re all good subjects. Just don’t send it to the office if it’s not office appropriate. (Good heavens, we blushed just typing that.)
- Stitch a little something if you’re needle smart. Find something at your local thrift, stitch a sweet or sassy message and presto–a valentine all vintage lovers would adore.
- Sidewalk chalk on the driveway. It’s not just for hopscotch any more.
- Skip the florist and say it with a nice houseplant–lots of good sources like Etsy, The Sill and even Amazon.
- Spray it in the snow. Spray paint works, so do spray bottles with water and food coloring.
Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year when it is a best practice to deploy painfully groan-inducing and schmaltzy puns and rhymes. Making your own card means you will not be shut out on that one-day-only opportunity. Need a few to get you started? We thought you’d never ask.
- You’re the peanut in my butter, the chocolate in my chip, the nut in my banana bread.
- Shoe-by doo, I love you.
- You’re on the espresso way to my heart.
- Snow doubt about it, my heart throws a Double McTwist when I’m with you.
- Bees love honey but Honey, do I love you.
I think we can all agree that those are truly horrible. But, you know, better to craft your own sappy pun than pay cash money for someone else’s.
However you say Happy Valentine’s Day, make sure it comes from the heart, just like our valentines for vintage lovers like you!
